Off-road vehicles could be registered

Nevada's status as the only state that doesn't register off-highway vehicles may be nearing an end, backers of a bill to be considered today say.

The Senate Finance Committee will consider Senate Bill 394 and its $400,000 in start up cost. Supporters emphasize that a registration program will be a moneymaker.

"The program will more than pay for itself once it's up and running," said Leah Bradle, executive director of the Nevada Powersports Dealers Association and a primary backer of the legislation.

The bill would require that OHVs operated on public land be registered and equipped with a visible identification sticker. Newly purchased OHVs would also have to be titled, with buyers providing proof of paid sales tax. Titling and registration would be handled by authorized OHV dealers.

The program, Bradle said, should end a practice costing Nevada millions in lost sales tax revenue resulting from Nevada residents who buy vehicles in neighboring states where they are not assessed sales tax.

And the program could raise up to $4 million annually - money that could go in part toward designating and maintaining trails for OHV use, Bradle said.

The proposal is also supported by conservationists who say a visible identification sticker will discourage irresponsible off-trail riding that causes substantial damage to Nevada's landscape.

"Our focus is to give a little bit back to everybody," Bradle said.

This attempt marks the fourth legislative session in a row that groups have tried to establish an OHV registration program for Nevada, the only Western state without one. All the other efforts failed when various interests failed to agree on details.

"We're trying to get it done this time," Bradle said.

SENATE BILL 394

Primary sponsor: State Sen. Dean Rhoads, R-Tuscarora.

Purpose: Require owners to title and register off-highway vehicles in Nevada.

Status: Passed April 7 by the Senate Committee on Energy, Infrastructure and Transportation. Before the Senate Committee on Finance 4 p.m. today, Room 2134.

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